Purpose - (Five Fold)

Communion is our 1st purpose specified in Romans 12:1, Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Worship is more than singing worship choruses or hymns on Sunday. Our entire life of service and activity is an act of worship to God. If our commitment to Him is lacking, we worship the work of our hands like pagans who have idols they bow down to in worship. Where your treasure is, Jesus said, there your heart will be also. Whoever has your heart has your worship. It's not a question of do I worship. It is a question of who I worship.

Connectedness is our 2nd purpose. Fellowship is not just talking about the weather or cooking or sports with a group of familiar acquaintances. The church has unique opportunity to give people who are lost or lonely a sense of connection with one another that the world cannot rival. Their best attempt is a "Cheers" bar type setting that is a Hollywood lie. The church sometimes has become a cold and liturgical unfriendly atmosphere that drives people into the world to find what Jesus said we should be. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 It's not enough to know you're ready for Heaven. Others need to know your love for Him and for them.

Completeness is the 3rd purpose in the spiritual and measurable progression in your walk with Christ. Maturity does not automatically happen. You must be deliberate about your spiritual growth or you wither and die or be tossed about by evil desires and consumed by the passions and lusts of this world and your own appetites. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16

Calling is the 4th and one of my personal favorites in the purpose plan of God. To think He would include us in His plan to minister to others His blessings and gifts. As we are becoming complete in Him we are to minister to one another the same grace to others. My desire is that the growth of our church be measured by the number of ministers, which is the entire Body of Christ. We are all called to minister in some capacity in the body of Christ. Every believer has been given gifts by the Holy Spirit for empowerment to serve. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." Ephesians 4:7-8. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7... while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Rev 5:10

Commissioned is the 5th and final purpose God has ordained the church to fulfill. Many churches take exception to this idea of exporting the gospel to those who have not heard of how to have their sins forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It's politically incorrect for us to push our faith on someone else, they say. I believe it is morally wrong to allow people to go to a devil's hell without the opportunity to choose eternal life in Christ Jesus. Some teach that all roads lead to Heaven if you just believe. Believe in what? You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. James 2:19 "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. but I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Romans 10:13-18

When Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creatures, I don't think He was very concerned about their political stance. He was so concerned about their should that He died to provide a way of escape from damnation. That may not play well to a generation that has decided adultery and lying are acceptable as long as their pocket book is not affected, but the truth a million years from now will still stand.